Local Rugby

Withycombe 23pts, Minehead Barbarians 13 Western Counties West THIS win in the replay against Minehead gave Withies plenty to celebrate. Withies hadn't won a game all season, but got a second go at Minehead after the referee was injured

Withycombe 23pts,Minehead Barbarians 13Western Counties WestTHIS win in the replay against Minehead gave Withies plenty to celebrate.Withies hadn't won a game all season, but got a second go at Minehead after the referee was injured and the game called off when it was first played earlier this month.A win was a suitable way to mark the 500th 1st XV appearance for the club of prop Richard Blyth, who doubles up as chairman as well.Both sides made errors at first, but Minehead seemed the stronger team as they charged down some wayward kicking by Withycombe. When Withycombe broke clear a series of moves took them close to the Minehead line, where they won a penalty which Ben Scott put over for a 3-0 lead.Withies were caught napping at the restart and allowed Minehead in for a try that they also converted.Withycombe made a positive restart and again Minehead conceded a penalty. Scott slotted the ball over to leave a point in it.Withycombe's Jon Sueter fielded the restart kick and set up an attack during which Minehead conceded a penalty trying to halt it. Withies attacked and when they won a penalty at a line-out Scott kicked them 9-7 up.The game turned scrappy up to half time with both sides kicking too much and failing to retain the ball.Minehead began the second half by going ahead thanks to a penalty,The visitors started to make errors that Withycombe used to their advantage. Minehead knocked on, Withycombe won the scrum and cleared the ball to touch. Minehead lost the line-out. The ball was recycled by the pack, then taken by Blyth who set up the backs to complete the move with Jasca Saeck going over to score Withycombe's first try. Scott converted and it was 16-10.Minehead came back quickly, forcing Withycombe to defend and concede a penalty just inside their own half. Minehead took a long kick and reduced their deficit to three points.Withycombe were defending near their own 10-metre line when they intercepted a promising Minehead move.Dave Passmore cleared the ball to wing Jimmy Holman, who swerved through the Minehead tackles before dotting down. Scott converted for 23-13.Suddenly, it was as if a light was switched on as Withycombe started to pass the ball, support each other and tackle whenever Minehead got possession.There were no more points for either side but Withycombe finished the game the better team as their new-found self-belief shone though.Withies will be looking to maintain their winning form when Tiverton visit Raleigh Park on Saturday.Canterbury 42pts, Exmouth 10EDF National TrophyA weakened Exmouth side never recovered from a poor start that saw them go 30 points down to the National Three side.Having played the first round in Kent, winning 35-14 at Bromley, the Cockles were faced with another trip to the same county, but late drop-outs meant the inclusion of several second and third-teamers.Exmouth's cause wasn't helped when fly-half Nick Grant, making his return after a long lay off with an ankle injury, hobbled off after 10 minutes with a recurrence of the same problem.Taking all the circumstances into account, Coach Nick Southern wasn't too disappointed with the outcome. "We seem to be in the habit of starting slowly but competing well in the second half," said Southern."Canterbury were bigger and stronger and played their rugby at a level above what we are used to. "To our credit we kept going to the end, scoring a try with the last passage of play."The late try was scored by winger Tom Elliott, who found himself in space out wide after Exmouth had retained the ball for 10 phases. Before that, Chris Strong had gone over at the fringe of a ruck after a pick-up-and-drive move.Exmouth Colts lost 19-16 to Exeter Chiefs at the Imperial Ground. The Chiefs won it with a last-minute penalty.Exmouth U14s 40pts,Exeter Chiefs U14s 12 FOLLOWING last week's cup win, Exmouth met a confident Chiefs team who took the game to them from the kick-off.Chiefs scored two tries through strong running by their backs from quality possession.Exmouth had to dig deep and defend well on limited possession.Exmouth did not let their heads drop and this self belief and determination saw Joe Biddulph drive over the try line for the Cockles' first points of the game Bradley Nielson kicked the conversion to leave Exmouth 12-7 down at half time.Exmouth had 28 players in the squad and made a number of half-time substitutions in an effort to get them all in the game.The second half saw Exmouth increase their possession through commitment in the tackle, ruck and contact area.Four tries were scored by Exmouth through Joe Biddulph, Simon Hartery (2) and Mark Wooley. Conversions were kicked by Danny Samson and Tyler Wright.Man of the Match was awarded to Danny Samson for his direct running, tackling and commitment.l Exmouth U10s fielded two equally strong teams in back-to-back games against Honiton. However, Honiton had the edge in both matches, winning the first 30-15 and the second 30-5.Try scorers for Exmouth in the first game were Andrew Wheeler (2) and Josh Williams.Harry Alexander and Henry Cornwell-Brown, Eddie White and Robert Marshall all defended well.The second game saw a ferocious battle in the mauls with the ball ripped back and forth, in which Exmouth's Eric Bramwell was a key player. Exmouth looked strong with impressive tackling by George Collett and Alex Craib.Ollie Thompson tackled well to prevent Honiton charging through. White, Collett and Marshall performed some fine flowing rugby. Collett showed his speed and tenacity to open Exmouth's account. Honiton scored twice again and would have added more but for the tackling of Spike O'Connell and Bramwell.EXMOUTH U9s had a double date with Honiton and won both games.Game one was a close-fought affair which went Exmouth's way 20-5.It was 5-5 at the break with Zach Higgingson the Exmouth scorer.Ollie Toomey showed his class by picking up two consecutive tries in the second half. Hugo Flinn had the last word.The second game was an absolute try fest in which Exmouth were 60-30 winners. Ieuan Kidd picked up his first of four tries, showing great awareness to get the Cockles on the score sheet. Jake Ford saw his opportunity and grabbed it then Joseph Stevens scored.Tom Cooke went on to claim six tries as the score mounted.Exeter U15s 5,Exmouth 15Exmouth made amends for their poor display against Barnstaple with victory in a physical match.Both teams finished with 14 lads on the pitch due to injuries.Exmouth scored all their points in the first half when they had the wind behind them.The first try came after 10 minutes when Ed Wright stole the ball to go over.When Tom Steer was given too much room he made it 10-0.Alfie Valentine had a try disallowed for foot in touch before Fergus O'Connell made it 15-0.Exeter had plenty of chances in the second half, but only converted one of them.